Interests on Resume

Should You List Interests on Resume

In many professional contexts, listing your interests can provide a more comprehensive view of who you are as a candidate and demonstrate your personality, passions, and engagement beyond the professional sphere. However, regional differences, job industry, and career level can impact whether or not this section is appropriate. For instance, in the United States, it's increasingly common to see interests listed on resumes for entry-level positions. In other countries like Japan, where work-life balance is highly valued, listing personal interests may be more common among professionals at all levels.

Why to List Interests on Resume

• Demonstrate Passion: Your interests can showcase your passion for a particular topic or hobby, which can help make you stand out as a candidate and provide hiring managers with insights into your motivation.
• Create Common Ground: Shared interests with the employer can create an instant connection, making it easier to form professional relationships during interviews and throughout your career.
• Showcase Transferable Skills: Participation in certain hobbies or activities may demonstrate skills relevant to the job, such as teamwork, leadership, or problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrate Diversity: A diverse range of interests can help convey that you're well-rounded and capable of adapting to various situations in the workplace.

Where to List Interests on Resume

• Professional Summary or Objective Statement: In some cases, it may be appropriate to include a brief mention of your interests within the professional summary or objective statement.
• Skills Section: If an interest is directly related to a key skill required for the job, it can be listed in the skills section with relevant keywords.
• Hobbies and Interests Section: Most commonly, interests are listed under their own dedicated section at the end of the resume. This allows them to be easily scanned by hiring managers without disrupting the flow of the more essential content.

Examples of How to List Interests on Resume

Including Relevant Interests in Professional Summary

• Professional Summary: Dedicated and detail-oriented graphic designer with a passion for minimalist design principles, currently seeking new opportunities to expand my portfolio and grow professionally.
• What's Good: The interest shows the candidate's dedication to their field of work and demonstrates relevant skills.
• What's Bad: If the position is not related to graphic design, the interest may not add value and could potentially be seen as irrelevant.

Mentioning Shared Interests with the Employer

• Hobbies and Interests Section: Enthusiastic about hiking, particularly challenging trails in the Pacific Northwest region. Avid participant in local Ultimate Frisbee leagues on weekends.
• What's Good: The shared interest with the employer (if they are also from the Pacific Northwest) can create a connection and make the candidate more memorable during the hiring process.
• What's Bad: If the position is for a company based in a different region, this interest might not be relevant and could potentially distract from other qualifications.

What to Avoid While Listing Interests on Resume

• Irrelevant or Inappropriate Interests: Be cautious about listing interests that are unrelated to the position or may be deemed inappropriate by potential employers.
• Over-sharing Personal Information: Avoid listing overly personal or controversial interests that could potentially lead to discrimination or uncomfortable conversations during the hiring process.
• Typos and Grammatical Errors: As with the rest of your resume, make sure to proofread and edit for proper grammar and spelling to maintain a professional appearance.
• Long Lists of Interests: Keep the list concise (3-5 interests at most) to avoid overwhelming the hiring manager and ensure that each interest is meaningful and relevant.

How to List Social Causes and Volunteer Work on Resume

When incorporating your social causes and volunteer work experiences into your resume, it's essential to present them effectively to showcase your passion, dedication, and transferable skills. Here are some best practices:

• Highlight Relevant Experiences: Focus on the roles that have a direct impact on the social cause you care about or align with the job you're applying for. For example, if you're applying for a marketing role in a non-profit organization, mention your experience as a volunteer event coordinator or social media manager.

• Volunteer Event Coordinator at Local Animal Shelter (2019-Present)

  • Organize and execute fundraising events to support the shelter
  • Manage social media accounts to raise awareness about animal welfare
  • Skills Utilized: Event Planning, Social Media Management, Communication

• Quantify Your Achievements: When possible, provide specific numbers or achievements that demonstrate your impact in these roles. This helps hiring managers understand the scope and significance of your contributions.

• Volunteer Mentor at After-School Program (2018-2020)

  • Assisted 30 students weekly with homework, improving their academic performance by an average of 15%
  • Skills Utilized: Teaching, Mentoring, Academic Support

• Focus on Transferable Skills: Emphasize the skills gained from your volunteer work that are transferable to professional roles. This shows employers how you can apply these skills in a work setting.

• Fundraising Coordinator at Local Charity (2020-Present)

  • Planned and executed successful fundraising events, raising over $5,000 for the charity
  • Skills Utilized: Project Management, Financial Planning, Teamwork

• Combine Social Causes and Interests: If your social cause aligns with a personal interest, merge them to create a cohesive and compelling section. This demonstrates your passion and commitment beyond the volunteer work itself.

• Keep it Concise and Relevant: Like other sections of your resume, limit your social causes and volunteer work experiences to 3-4 bullet points per role and ensure they are directly relevant to the job you're applying for.

• Freelance Graphic Designer and Environmental Advocate (2016-Present)

  • Designed marketing materials for local environmental organizations pro bono
  • Coordinated a city-wide litter cleanup event, engaging 150 volunteers
  • Skills Utilized: Graphic Design, Project Management, Community Engagement

Example 1: Social Causes and Volunteer Work on Interests Resume

In this example, the candidate highlights their work as a tutor at a local literacy program and participation in a city-wide environmental cleanup campaign. The resume section demonstrates their passion for education and the environment, which aligns with their personal interests and career goals.

Interests

Social Causes and Volunteer Work

• Tutor at Local Literacy Program (2018-Present)
  • Provided one-on-one tutoring to struggling students, improving reading levels by an average of 2 grade levels within a year
• Volunteer at City-wide Environmental Cleanup Campaign (2020)
  • Worked alongside 300 volunteers to clean up local parks and waterways, removing over 1,500 pounds of trash

Example 2: Social Causes and Volunteer Work in Interests Context

In this second example, the candidate showcases their experience as a volunteer coordinator at a youth sports program and their passion for sports through their personal blog. This demonstrates their dedication to both their hobby and helping others, making them an attractive candidate for roles within sports organizations or related fields.

Interests

Social Causes and Volunteer Work

• Volunteer Coordinator at Local Youth Sports Program (2018-Present)
  • Organized and managed sports events for underprivileged children, providing them with access to athletics
• Blogger at [Personal Blog Name] (2017-Present)
  • Write about various sports topics, with a focus on encouraging youth participation in sports

How to List Languages and Cultures on Resume

Best Practices for Languages and Cultures Section:

• Highlight Relevant Skills: If you're applying for a role that requires knowledge of specific languages or cultures, make sure these skills are prominently displayed. Mention the languages you speak fluently, your level of proficiency, and any regional dialects you may know.

  Example: Fluent in English (Native), Intermediate Spanish, Basic Mandarin (Hanyu Pinyin)

• Include Cultural Awareness: Beyond language skills, showcase your understanding of cultural nuances that could be beneficial in a diverse workplace. This could include knowledge of cultural practices, customs, or etiquette.

  Example: Familiarity with Asian business etiquette, Understanding of Middle Eastern cultural values, Knowledge of Latin American social norms

• Detail Language Learning Methods: If you're still learning a language, describe the methods you've used to acquire these skills. This could be through formal education, self-study, or immersion experiences.

  Example: Currently enrolled in an advanced Spanish course at [University Name], Three months of intensive Mandarin study abroad program in Beijing (2021)

• Mention Cultural Activities: If you're involved in activities that expose you to different cultures or languages, include these on your resume. This could be memberships in cultural clubs, attending cultural events, or volunteering for organizations related to specific cultures.

  Example: Active member of the [Cultural Club Name], Regular attendance at local cultural festivals and events, Volunteer translator at the [Community Translation Center]

• Connect to Professional Goals: Tie your language and cultural skills to your career objectives. Explain how these abilities will help you excel in the role you're applying for.

  Example: Proficient in French, which is essential for my desired position as a Marketing Manager in France, Demonstrated understanding of Japanese culture, crucial for building relationships with clients in Japan

Example 1: Languages and Cultures on Interests Resume

In the "Interests" section of your resume, you can list languages and cultures you're passionate about as a way to showcase your global awareness and dedication to learning. Here's an example:

Example: Fluent in Spanish (Native), Currently learning Italian through online courses, Fascinated by Japanese anime culture, Enjoy exploring traditional Chinese cuisine

Example 2: Languages and Cultures in Interests Context

If you have a language or cultural interest that could potentially impact your professional life, consider including it in the "Professional Skills" section instead of "Interests." Here's an example:

Example: Fluent in German (Native), Strong background in European business practices, Knowledgeable about Scandinavian design trends, Pursuing a part-time certificate in Arabic language and culture at [University Name] for potential career opportunities in the Middle East.

How to List Sports and Fitness on Resume

Best Practices for Including Sports and Fitness in the Interests Section

• Highlight Relevant Experience: Mention any previous jobs or volunteer work that involved sports and fitness, emphasizing your roles and responsibilities. For instance, if you were a coach for a local soccer team, explain your coaching methods and the impact on team performance.

• Coached a youth soccer team, organizing practices, and developing training programs to improve players' skills and teamwork.

• Demonstrate Personal Achievements: Share any personal sports or fitness achievements that may impress potential employers. This could include participation in marathons, winning local tournaments, or completing a yoga teacher training course.

• Successfully completed a half-marathon and improved my time by 10 minutes each year for the past three years.

• Express Passion: Show your passion for sports and fitness by describing how you stay active outside of work hours, such as playing basketball every weekend or practicing yoga daily.

• Regularly engage in physical activities like rock climbing and long-distance running to maintain an active lifestyle.

• Relate to Job Requirements: If the job description mentions teamwork, leadership, or problem-solving skills—common traits developed through sports and fitness activities—highlight how you've demonstrated these qualities in your personal pursuits.

• Lead a pickup basketball game, taking responsibility for organizing players, rotating positions, and adapting strategies based on the team's strengths and weaknesses.

• Use Quantifiable Achievements: When possible, provide specific numbers or facts to illustrate your involvement in sports and fitness. This helps demonstrate your commitment and enthusiasm for these activities.

• Completed a 200-hour yoga teacher training program, which has allowed me to teach beginner classes with an average attendance of 15 students per session.

Example 1: Sports and Fitness on Interests Resume

[In this example, let's imagine that the job applicant is seeking a position in marketing for a sports apparel company.]

Interests:

• Marketing strategy development
• Digital advertising
• Playing soccer and running marathons as hobbies
  • Regularly participate in local soccer leagues, where I apply my marketing skills to promote our team and recruit new members.
  • Completed the New York City Marathon twice, improving my time by 30 minutes each run.

Example 2: Sports and Fitness in Interests Context

[In this example, let's imagine that the job applicant is seeking a role as a fitness instructor at a gym.]

Interests:

• Group fitness instruction (Zumba, Pilates, Yoga)
• Weightlifting and powerlifting
  • Certified yoga teacher with extensive experience in teaching various styles of yoga to both children and adults.
  • Compete in local weightlifting competitions, focusing on technique and endurance to improve performance consistently.

How to List Technical Skills on Resume

Best Practices

• Relevance: Only include technical skills that are relevant to the job you're applying for. This shows that you have the necessary skills for the role. For example, if you're applying for a software engineering position, listing skills like C++ programming or experience with GitHub would be pertinent.

• Specificity: Be specific about your technical skills. Instead of saying "Experienced in Microsoft Office," list the individual applications you're proficient in such as Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

• Proficiency Level: Indicate your level of proficiency for each skill. This could be beginner, intermediate, advanced, or expert. This helps potential employers understand where you stand in terms of competency.

• Practical Examples: Include practical examples of when and how you've used these skills. This demonstrates not only your ability but also your problem-solving skills and adaptability.

• Keywords: Use keywords related to the job description to make your resume easily searchable by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Example 1: Technical Skills on Interests Resume

In the "Interests" section, you can list technical skills that are not directly relevant to the current job but could be beneficial in future roles. For instance:

• Coding languages: Python, Ruby, JavaScript (Beginner)
• Data Analysis Tools: Tableau, R (Intermediate)
• Web Development: HTML5, CSS3, Bootstrap (Advanced)

By listing these skills, you're showing that you have a broader set of technical abilities and are eager to explore new areas.

Example 2: Technical Skills in Interests Context

If you're applying for a graphic design position but also have some experience with video editing as a hobby, you could list it under the "Interests" section like this:

• Graphic Design Software: Adobe Creative Suite (Advanced)
  • Frequently used for designing brochures, logos, and presentations at my previous job.
• Video Editing Tools: Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro (Intermediate)
  • Used to create short videos for personal projects and have a YouTube channel where I share my work.

This demonstrates your versatility as a designer and provides an interesting angle that can make your resume stand out.

How to List Creative Pursuits on Resume

Best Practices

• Specificity is Key: Instead of a vague statement like "Interested in arts", be more precise by mentioning the type of art or creative pursuit you are engaged with, such as painting, graphic design, poetry writing, etc.

  For instance: Engaged in watercolor painting as a means to express emotions and explore color theory.

• Highlight Achievements: If you have won awards, participated in exhibitions, or published your work, make sure to mention these accomplishments to showcase your dedication and skill level.

  Example: Showcased my paintings at a local art gallery as part of their annual exhibition.

• Relate to Job Requirements: Try to connect your creative pursuits with the skills required for the job you are applying for, even if they may seem unrelated at first glance. For example, creativity in graphic design or project management can be valuable assets.

  Example: Developed a knack for problem-solving and strategic thinking while creating intricate origami designs.

• Quantify Your Involvement: Provide context about the frequency and time commitment you've dedicated to your creative pursuits, such as participating in weekly workshops or spending several hours each day honing your skills.

  Example: Devote an average of 5 hours daily to my passion for writing and have completed over 10 short stories in the past year.

• Use Action Verbs: Begin each bullet point with action verbs like 'created,' 'designed,' 'published,' 'exhibited,' etc., to demonstrate your initiative and the results of your efforts.

  Example: Design and maintain a personal blog featuring original poetry, artwork, and music compositions.

Example 1: Creative Pursuits on Interests Resume

• Creative Writing: I have been writing short stories and poetry for the past five years, and have published several of my works in local journals.
• Graphic Design: I have honed my skills in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to create visually appealing designs for various projects.
• Music Composition: I compose music using digital audio workstations (DAWs), showcasing my ability to blend melody, harmony, and rhythm effectively.

Example 2: Creative Pursuits in Interests Context

• Ceramics: I have been taking ceramics classes for two years, learning various techniques such as hand-building and wheel-throwing to create unique pieces of art.
• Photography: My love for photography has led me to explore different genres like landscape, portrait, and macro, using both digital cameras and film photography.
• Dance Choreography: I have been creating dance routines for the past eight years, with a focus on contemporary and hip-hop styles, performing at local events and competitions.